Chapter 8: The Street of Opportunities

A resounding thunderclap reverberated through the city, accompanied by a brilliant flash of light that illuminated the once-dark corners of the street.

The motionless body of a disheveled, dirty man rested against a rusty dumpster, the clothes tattered. The small rats mingled and squealed around, nibbling at the rotting corpse.

Tia trembled in a dark corner, audibly panting as she watched the disgusting scene. Her fragile form was covered only in soaked white pajamas, drenched by the relentless downpour, making the cold sensation almost unbearable.

'So cold, so dirty. However, at least I am free and without a straightjacket.' Even in the dark times, she remained happy and positive.

Tia hurriedly turned her gaze away, grateful for her empty stomach that prevented her from vomiting.

The piles of garbage and drugged-up junkies lay strewn across the streets as everyone else vanished into hiding, their presence emitting a suffocating stench of human deterioration that suffocated Tia.

'So this is the glorious Federation, the land of freedom.'

Shivering with a mix of cold and despair, Tia waited while winds howled relentlessly around her. She couldn't help but feel the weight of countless watchful eyes—junkies and dubious figures who studied her every move with their lifeless eyes.

'I was blind when I was a sheltered child. This is how it looks for the less lucky ones.'

Amidst the heavy rain, a man emerged, clothed in tattered sweatpants and a white shirt marred with grease stains. With faltering and wobbly steps, he slowly but steadily approached the shivering girl, his dilated pupils and dry, cracked skin betraying the drugs and alcohol coursing through his veins.

"Hehe." He chuckled, brown saliva leaking out his mouth.

With an unsettling, almost predatory, grin spreading across his face, his metallic teeth glinted in the dim light as he fixated upon the platinum-haired girl huddled in the corner of the desolate street.

"Hey girl, do you want a bit of heat? I can make you hot, hotter than the sun!"

Tia raised her gun, its blue glow stopping the dirty man in his tracks, his disgusting smile vanishing from his face.

She felt no fear, the man before her being only garbage she could stomp without any effort.

"I was just joking. I will leave, okay?"

She didn't lower her gun, her lilac eyes glaring at the disgusting junkie as he slowly backed away, leaving her lonely in her corner of the dirty streets.

Rotors hummed above her as a small drone flashing in red and blue lights passed above her, vanishing above the building. At last, she breathed out in relief and lowered her gun, 'Finally, they passed.'

She was tired and restless—her dream of freedom was slowly washed away by the stench, hunger, and downpour.

'If I stayed in the hospital, I would at least be warm.' Her stomach grumbled, the sensation of hunger growing stronger. She could do nothing, only slightly pat her stomach, 'And sated... No, my freedom is more precious.'

As Tia stepped out of the dark and shadowy sidestreet, the world around her suddenly burst into light and life.

The once-closed metal shutters creaked open, revealing the vibrant neon glow that illuminated the bustling street. The crowds of people, who had sought refuge in the hideouts during the police search, poured out as if nothing had happened, resuming their night activities with an air of nonchalance.

The stark contrast between the sinister alley she had just left and the lively street before her was striking. Tia felt a sense of relief as she inhaled the fresh air, free from the foul stench of a decaying corpse.

Her eyes fell upon a man walking right in front of her. Her eyes glinted with a mischievous spark as she noticed the purse tucked in the back pocket of his pants.

With a single thread of her thought, the purse leaped from its place, flying effortlessly through the air and landing securely in her hand.

The man, still oblivious to the theft that had just occurred, continued on his way.

'Haha, from a powerful witch to a rich girl, then to an insane girl, and finally to a petty criminal... is this really how deep have I fallen?'

Ding!

New quest: Set up your witch hideout

Every witch needs her own hideout where she can produce and sell her crafts. Find a suitable location and build your workshop.

Rewards: 5 x witch point; 2 x random potion recipe

Beep!

<<<<<<>>>>>>

New mission:

Objective --> Kill 5 local gang members to earn respect

Rewards --> 3 x esper point

<<<<<<>>>>>>

'Come on, are doing this intentionally?' The girl stomped in frustration, catching everyone's eyes, 'What is this nonsense? How am I supposed to safely live here and produce my wares if I start killing people whirly nearly?'

A dirty beggar sprawled on the road with a bottle in his hand looked at her and quietly murmured, "What a freak..."

"Shut up!" She stared back at the beggar, making him flinch back, and curl up as if he were a scared dog. They had been calling her insane and sick for years, and she had enough of it, only hardly keeping her temper in check.

'Maybe... I can do both of them. The systems are right; I should not give up. I just need to work hard, and everything will turn out alright.' Her eyes pulsed with purple energy, her hand already itching on the hilt of her gun.

She looked at the dump she was in in the new light. She no longer saw the dirty and stinky street full of potential criminals. Instead, she saw her opportunity to start a new life.

POV Inspector ???:

The neon lights silently buzzed on the ceiling, revealing the gruesome scene—blood smeared all over the white walls, and bullet holes drilled into every surface, including the ceiling and even the floor.

"So many casualties..." The black-haired man in a blue coat and glasses on his nose somberly looked at his colleagues lying on the white ceramic floor without any sign of life, blood pooling beneath them.

'It looks like they killed themself, but how?'

He silently murmured as he knew the answer, "So we have another insane psychic here."

Suddenly, a bored female voice brought him out of his thoughts, "Drones still didn't find anything. We are currently scouring through the streets, but the heavy storm is affecting our sensors. Should we dispatch more units?"

His assistant, the tall woman with shoulder-length brown hair and the look of a bookworm, appeared from behind a corner of the hallway, her pale face illuminated by the pale bluish light from the glowing tablet in her hand.

"Recall all the guards searching for her."

"Huh, are you sure, inspector? She is dangerous. We need to find her as soon as possible."

"Yes, she is dangerous. Regular patrols would be only walking to their death. We will only strike at full force once we locate her to eliminate unnecessary losses." A smile appeared on his face, "We are hunting an animal here, and they are most dangerous while relentlessly pursued. Let's give her a feeling of safety and relief, then we will strike."

Anger bubbled in his veins—he wouldn't let someone who killed his men go!

What enraged him most was that he knew there would be no punishment for the murderer of his subordinates, 'There is always demand for murderers with superpowers by the government...'

A smile formed on his face as he clenched his fist. He wouldn't allow her to get away with murdering his men, 'Accidents can happen, especially if the suspect resists.'

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